To get married ‘with clarified wine’. Città Sant’Angelo leads the ‘Wedding in the Village’ project.

Since I’ve been involved in tourism, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the most picturesque and fascinating destinations in Italy, where thousands of couples choose to celebrate their union every year, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

From Lake Como to the Amalfi Coast, from the Tuscan hills to the breathtaking landscapes of Puglia, passing through the classic art cities such as Venice, Florence, and Rome, to the recently acclaimed locations like Petritoli, the charming village in the province of Fermo, now known as the “borgo dei matrimoni” (wedding village), among the most popular destinations for couples from all over the world. Italy, as a whole, represents one of the most sought-after countries for Wedding Tourism, a preference confirmed by statistics that for several years have shown weddings as a robust economic reality, capable of generating millions of euros in a business that not only involves specialized operators but also encompasses various sectors, from service providers to retail businesses, to the restaurant and hospitality industry. To give an idea of the economic value of Wedding Tourism, in 2019 there were ten thousand couples, mostly foreigners (especially English, Russian, and American), who chose Italy as their wedding destination, generating a business volume of 550 million euros, with an average expenditure per event of 58,600 euros.

Tuscany once again led the way, followed by the Amalfi Coast and Umbria, but alongside these timeless classics, there are also locations that have captured the hearts of couples from around the world. Among them are Orta, San Giulio, and Gangi, all part of the “Associazione dei Borghi più belli d’Italia” (Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy). Orta, located in the province of Novara, is known for the vibrant colors of its buildings, resembling a watercolor painting by Chagall. It is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque destinations in northern Italy to celebrate weddings, with a fairytale-like setting amidst palaces that seem to come straight out of a painting and the tranquil waters of a magical lake. Since 2012, the historic Palazzo Gemelli, a lavish 19th-century residence, has been at the top of the list of the most appreciated locations by couples from all over the world.

With frescoes, Italian gardens, and magnificent views of the lake, it provides the perfect setting for a wedding that combines refinement, serenity, and pleasure. Gangi, located in the province of Palermo, is appreciated by those who wish to celebrate their special day in an idyllic atmosphere, surrounded by the scents of authentic nature and lush green hills. A small gem perched on Mount Barone, offering panoramic views of Mount Etna and the Madonie Park. Highly sought after as a location is the Casale Villa Rainò, an ancient noble residence once owned by the Spanish Li Destri family, rich in history and legends; it is said that the villa harbors deep tunnels used by brigands to escape the law and hide in the woods, while among the locals there are still stories of the reception held in honor of the Tsar’s visit to Sicily or the lunch served to Benito Mussolini in the shade of the rotunda surrounded by centuries-old trees. Whether it’s history or legend, it remains a charming place to celebrate the most beautiful day amidst nature and genuine Palermo cuisine.

Recently, Abruzzo has also been added to the list of the most popular destinations for couples from around the world, thanks to the foresight of regional institutions, entrepreneurs, and local cultural associations. It all started in 2017 with a bet launched by the Tourism Department of the Abruzzo Region to promote Abruzzo’s villages as destinations for Destination Weddings, combining their undeniable architectural and natural beauties with the region’s rich heritage and traditions.

The project aimed not only to promote tourism in the 30% of the Abruzzo territory protected by environmental conservation laws, proposing stunning locations such as the hermitages of Santo Spirito in Majella, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Atri, or the magnificent castles of Semivicoli and the picturesque fortresses of Septe in Mozzagrogna, Rocca Calascio, and Santo Stefano di Sessanio but also to offer couples an immersive experience in local traditions such as participating in the wedding procession of “Ju Catenacce” in Scanno. Since then, the idea of ​​combining the beauty of the villages with the warmth of traditions to promote Abruzzo as a destination for Wedding Tourism has gained ground, proving to be a successful choice that has prompted local institutions to expand the initial project with the initiative “Matrimonio nel Borgo” (Wedding in the Village), where Abruzzo’s villages strive to become ideal locations for this type of tourism.

The ambitious project was presented last February, on Valentine’s Day, and its aim, as explained by the Assessor for Cultural Heritage and Tourism of the Region, is to design and enhance the tourist product called “Matrimonio nel Borgo,” focused on the recovery of local wedding traditions. The project was conceived and developed by the Borgo of Città Sant’Angelo, in collaboration with the Wedding Bureau Association (technical partner), and will be extended to all Abruzzo villages that want to be part of the “Wedding Destination” network. The challenge is to demonstrate how it is possible to revive the magic of a traditional wedding in the setting of an “Abruzzo Village,” inspired by local customs and traditions, from craftsmanship to gastronomy, adapted to the needs of our times, with the involvement of local citizens and economic operators.

The project aims to provide a new opportunity for tourism and internationalization for villages, accommodation facilities, operators, and the territory, and above all, an opportunity for social aggregation, cultural and economic development of local cultural and folklore associations. In addition to collaborations with associations of Italians residing abroad, specialized tour operators, and wedding planners, it will be promoted through the portal www.matrimonionelborgo.com/abruzzo, a true treasure trove that collects and narrates the wedding traditions of the villages in the Abruzzo region, and where all the useful information regarding the interested villages is gathered.

In particular, couples will find on the website for each destination: a “tourist postcard,” a “catalog of traditions” that can be revived thanks to the collaboration of cultural and folk associations of the village; a section dedicated to Wedding Tours (itinerary suggestions in the village and its surroundings for one or more days); a list of service providers dedicated to weddings present in the village and the territory; an overview of places where you can get married, including churches and town halls; documentation relating to the formalities to be completed for the civil ceremony; the form to request information and assistance for wedding organization.

In short, it’s truly an invitation to crown the most beautiful day with the colors and warmth of local traditions, hoping that even if not celebrated “a vino schiarito,” as the Abruzzo tradition dictates, meaning in the months of April, September, and December, weddings will always be blessed by Love.